Joseph Becht, owner of Becht & Company, a wine and liquor establishment on the corner of Broadway and 11th Street, was an active member in the early years of Oakland, California.

Becht was the second owner of the Oakland Brewery and although the brewery was destroyed in an 1863 fire, Becht rebuilt the plant at the same location. In 1867 Becht sold the brewery to Lawrence Knauer and his son Fred Knauer.

When the Oakland Bank of Savings was established on August 13, 1867, Becht was one of the signatories on the official certificate of incorporation.

In 1869 Becht resided on the south side of 11th Street, between Broadway and Franklin Street.